Beyoncé’s “Black Is King”: 13 Best Fashion and Beauty Looks
From her cornrows to the inclusion of African designers, not a detail went amiss in the new visual album.
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Beyoncé in “Water” from the visual album BLACK IS KING, on Disney+ANDREW WHITE/COURTESY OF DISNEY + WATCH Artwork DIY: Paint with Old Makeup
The wait is over, Beyoncé is back! Her new visual album, Black Is King, officially premiered on July 31 exclusively on Disney+ and the queen has gifted us with fashion and beauty moments galore.
Following last year’s The Lion King: The Gift, the album accompanying the live-action film of The Lion King, Beyoncé has gifted the Beyhive (and general public) with a sublime visual album once again based on its soundtrack. The highly anticipated film has been teased with short trailers for a few weeks. Per Beyoncé, who wrote, directed, and produced the feat, this project was filmed as a “companion piece” to last year’s soundtrack. "Black Is King is a labor of love. It is my passion project that I have been filming, researching, and editing day and night for the past year. I’ve given it my all and now it’s yours,” Beyoncé said on Instagram when she announced the visual album in late June. Going off her past visual projects, like Lemonade and Homecoming, it was clear from the get-go that Black Is King was going to be one rooted in culture and history. Beyoncé’s intent is consistent. She plans, researches, and gives her all to every single visual that she puts out into the world. Black Is King is no different and The Lion King’s ties to the motherland, to Africa, make it all the more special. With her knowledge and love of Black history, there was no way that this film wouldn’t celebrate the Black experience. “My hope for this film is that it shifts the global perception of the word Black," Beyoncé said in a recent Good Morning America segment. "It’s always meant inspiration, and love, and strength, and beauty to me.” And it shows. In Black Is King, Beyoncé sheds light on Black beauty in a way that no one else has seemed to accomplish yet. From the intentionality of her long cornrows and the way her clothes drape elegantly over her curves to the homage she pays to the ancestors through costuming. Bey's creativeness is embedded in culture and she is keen on making sure that is her legacy. It is clear that Beyoncé’s creative team poured their all into this for the world to see. This project encapsulates how beautiful and inspirational Black is. It is a project embedded in raw greatness. The visuals are a celebration of Black life and the narrative couldn’t have been complete without the costume designing by Beyoncé’s longtime stylist, Zerina Akers, and the beauty, here are some of the best fashion and beauty moments that we loved from Black Is King. Bey smized in a Mary Katrantzou FW19 multicolored gown, complete with a curly updo complementing her facial features. If this photo isn't the definition of ethereal, we don't know what is. 2.
Beyoncé in “Mood 4 Eva” from the visual album BLACK IS KING on Disney+© 2020 PARKWOOD ENTERTAINMENT/COURTESY OF DISNEY +Beyoncé in animal print is always a mood. During the “Mood 4 Eva” portion of Black Is King, she rocked a printed dress with her signature high thigh slit, a matching hat and statement sunglasses.
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Beyoncé in “Spirit” from the visual album BLACK IS KING, on Disney+PARKWOOD ENTERTAINMENT/COURTESY OF DISNEY +Beyoncé looked like literal sunshine in this yellow Balmain textured ensemble.
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Beyoncé in “Bigger” from the visual album BLACK IS KING, on Disney+© 2020 PARKWOOD ENTERTAINMENT/COURTESY OF DISNEY + For the opening scene of the film, Beyoncé was draped in an airy, yet ethereal dress by NYC-based designer Wendy Nichol.
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Beyoncé in “Already” from the visual album BLACK IS KING, on Disney+© 2020 PARKWOOD ENTERTAINMENT/COURTESY OF DISNEY +Bey is no stranger to catsuits! She and her dancers pranced in Marine Serre's popular moon printed bodysuits that hugged every single curve for Black Is King. In addition to the printed suit, Beyoncé donned a braided Bantu knot hairstyle and knee-length braids, a new style that will be attempted by many!
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A close up of the braided Bantu knots and cornrows style. Beyoncé unapologetically rocks braids, a hairstyle deeply rooted in Black history.
7. Braids take the spotlight on countless occasions throughout Black Is King. Here, Beyoncé wore braids structured on the top of her head, paying homage to the hairstyle worn by Mangbetu women. To complete the look, she wore a custom Timothy White tulle gown.
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Beyoncé is known for donning daring embellished looks, especially when she is on tour. Here, she was adorned in Lace by Tanaya, a Black designer whose designs are often highly embellished or crystallized.
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Continuing on her bejeweled looks, Beyoncé rocked another Black designer, D.Bleu.Dazzled. The crystal-festooned catsuit and skirt flowed in every scene where it was featured. The skirt was a crystallized party on Beyoncé's hips.
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Back with the braids! To complement her full Michaela Stark denim ensemble, Beyoncé rocked floor-length knotless braids in her signature honey brown shade.
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The queen loves custom! For another look from a Black designer, the team tapped 5:31 JÉRÔME to custom create a textured corset gown with a matching headpiece.
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Paying homage to the motherland designers, Beyoncé wore a houndstooth dress by Senegal-based Tongoro Studio. Her look was complete with cornrows and a complex styled braided bun.
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Last but not least, we just have to choose them all — I know! The only conclusion to make while watching Black Is King is that Beyoncé killed every single look. We look forward to seeing how she'll continue to create her legacy through her creative genius, especially through fashion and beauty.
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